Queen Elizabeth II has undeniably endeared herself to the nation during her impressive 70 years of public service, sprinkling Royal Stardust across communities in Britain. Tom Ball, the author of 'Revenge: The War Between Meghan, Harry, and Windsor,' believes that the Queen's unique ability to capture the hearts and minds of the British people has set an incredibly high standard for Charles.
According to Mr. Powers, Charles is not as popular as his mother. However, he points out that the monarchy remains popular. Powers believes that Prince William and Kate will play a crucial role in keeping the royal flame burning. Charles, on the other hand, has significant ambitions for the future of the royal family. He doesn't want to be seen merely as a caretaker; he aspires to be viewed as a visionary.
But the question that arises is whether Charles has the time, energy, and imagination required to create a legacy that can rival the reign of King Charles. Powers emphasizes that this outcome is unpredictable and entirely up to him.
While Charles might not match his mother's popularity, opinion polls indicate that he still enjoys broad support among the British public. In an Ipsos poll conducted before his coronation, 49% of respondents believed Charles was doing well as king, with 32% saying he was neither good nor bad, and 9% stating he was doing a terrible job. The remaining 10% were undecided.
In another Ipsos poll conducted around the same time, approximately 57% of respondents expressed satisfaction with Charles's job performance, the highest rating since the same question about his work as Prince was asked in 2022.
Notably, Charles managed to increase his popularity in the weeks following his coronation. An Ipsos poll found that 63% of Britons were satisfied with his performance as Monarch, marking a six-point increase since April. Only 17% expressed disapproval of his work. However, it's essential to acknowledge that Charles's reign is significantly influenced by the legacy he inherits from Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen's enduring legacy is underscored not only by her ceremonial duties but also by her efforts to boost the morale of healthcare workers during the pandemic and her support for charities that aid veterans and vulnerable individuals.
Therefore, the future of the monarchy, under Charles's reign, will depend on whether he and his heir, Prince William, can maintain this deep bond in a country that treats the royal family with a level of respect distinct from that enjoyed by Elizabeth during her coronation in 1953.
